For more childhood cancer information and other general cancer resources from the National Cancer Institute, see the following:

• What You Need to Know About™ Cancer - An Overview ¹
• Childhood Cancers ²
• CureSearch - National Childhood Cancer Foundation Children’s Oncology Group ³
• Late Effects of Treatment for Childhood Cancer ⁴
• Young People with Cancer: A Handbook for Parents ⁵
• Care for Children and Adolescents with Cancer: Questions and Answers ⁶
• Understanding Cancer Series: Cancer ⁷
• Staging: Questions and Answers ⁸
• Coping with Cancer ⁹
• Support and Resources ¹⁰
• Cancer Library ¹¹
• Information for Survivors/Caregivers/Advocates ¹²

Glossary Terms

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord.